Patient Care

UNIVERSITY VASCULAR CENTER

n Understanding Vascular Disease n Diagnosing Vascular Disease n Treating Vascular Disease n Vascular Surgery Team n Consultations/Appointments

The University Vascular Center — established as a collaboration between the Division of Vascular Surgery (Department of Surgery), Division of Interventional Radiology (Department of Radiology), and Department of Neurology — provides diagnosis and treatment of vascular disease ranging from routine to highly complex cases, and offers a full complement of services for patients with vascular disease. Our clinical services include:

n Comprehensive vascular assessment to evaluate the condition of the circulatory system
n Minimally invasive arterial therapies using the latest treatment advances, including thrombolytic therapy, angioplasty, endovascular stents, and stent graft repair
n State-of-the-art surgical and endovascular treatment of carotid artery disease, aneurysms, mesenteric and lower extremity arterial insufficiency, and chronic venous insufficiency
n Minimally invasive venous therapies for varicose veins, including endoluminal vein ablation (closure), mini-phlebotomy, and ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy; as well as sclerotherapy and laser therapy for spider veins
n Non-surgical treatment of chronic leg/foot ulcers using impulse compression technology and other modalities
n Complete, fully accredited Non-Invasive Vascular Laboratory performing carotid, upper/lower extremity, and abdominal vascular studies, using the latest ultrasound technology (no dyes, x-rays, or needles)
n Assessment of chronic venous insufficiency with duplex ultrasound and routine scheduled evaluations of arterio-venous fistula function for maintenance
n Frequent screenings for vascular disease (carotid artery, for risk of stroke — abdominal aorta, for presence of aneurysms — lower extremity, for risk of peripheral vascular disease and for varicose veins)

Understanding Vascular Disease

The vascular system is a network of blood vessels including arteries, veins, and capillaries. Arteries carry oxygen and nutrients to the body; veins return blood from the tissues to the heart. Vascular disease refers to changes that can occur in blood vessels affecting the normal flow of blood. These disorders can be life- or limb-threatening and can run in families.

Arteries

Veins

Lifestyle and heredity can play a strong role in whether someone will develop vascular disease. It is especially important to understand the risk factors, signs/symptoms, and warning signs associated with vascular disease, which are as follows:

Risk Factors
n Age (more than 60 years)
n High blood pressure
n Smoking
n Obesity
n High cholesterol
n Diabetes mellitus
n Family history
n Sedentary lifestyle

Signs/Symptoms
n Stroke
n Hardening of the arteries
n Non-healing wounds
n Aneurysms
n Varicose or spider veins
n Difficulty walking

Warning Signs
n Temporary weakness, numbness or paralysis on one side of the body
n Temporary, sudden vision changes in one or both eyes
n Difficulty speaking or difficulty understanding words
n Falling for no apparent reason
n Loss of balance
n Abdominal, chest or back pain
n Leg pain with walking or foot pain while at rest
n Non-healing wounds of the feet or legs

Diagnosing Vascular Disease

For more information, please visit the website of the Non-Invasive Vascular Laboratory.

Treating Vascular Disease

Minimally Invasive Therapies
n Endovascular aneurysm repair
n Carotid artery stent
n Peripheral artery angioplasty/stent
n Venous stenting and venous thrombolysis
n Endovenous vein ablation (closure)
n Sclerotherapy and laser therapy

Surgical Interventions
n Carotid endarterectomy
n Lower extremity bypass
n Aneurysm repair
n Varicose vein surgery
n Hemodialysis access

Vascular Surgery Team

Our vascular surgeons are specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of vascular disease. Our vascular surgery team includes John J. Ricotta, MD, chief of vascular surgery; Antonios P. Gasparis, MD, director of Stony Brook Vein Center; Andrea J. Hendrzak, MD; Cheng H. Lo, MD; Apostolos K. Tassiopoulos, MD; and Nicos Labropoulos, PhD, director of Non-Invasive Vascular Laboratory — all of whom are members of our full-time faculty; as well as nurse practitioner Susan W. Callahan, ANP, who works closely with them to help facilitate the most sophisticated, compassionate care:

(left to right) John J. Ricotta, MD, Antonios P. Gasparis, MD, Andrea J. Hendrzak, MD, Cheng H. Lo, MD, Apostolos K. Tassiopoulos, MD, Nicos Labropoulos, PhD, and Susan W. Callahan, ANP

Based in the Department of Radiology, the radiologists with whom our vascular surgeons collaborate are:

Based in the Department of Neurology, the neurologists with whom our vascular surgeons collaborate are:

Community physicians who refer patients to us can be assured of continuity of care, since close communications are maintained with them as part of our approach to comprehensive patient management.

Consultations/Appointments

East Setauket
Stony Brook Surgical Care Center
Phone: 631-444-4545
Address/Directions

Hampton Bays
Stony Brook Outpatient Services Center
Phone: 631-723-5000
Address/Directions

Vascular Center Hours Monday through Friday 9 am to 5 pm Most health insurance plans are accepted

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